Yanks Go Yard Radio Show Rewind: Yankees-Rays Preview (9/14-9/16)

.2On last night’s episode of the Yanks Go Yard Radio Show, I started off the episode by talking about the New York Yankees (78-62) losing three out of four games to the Toronto Blue Jays over the weekend. However, they were able to avoid the sweep thanks to a great performance from Masahiro Tanaka. Tanaka went seven innings, gave up no runs on four hits, and struck out seven in the win.

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However, Toronto’s offense came into the Bronx and put up a total of 30 runs from Friday-Saturday (Saturday was a doubleheader). With 20 games left in the season, the Yankees are 3.5 games back of Toronto in the AL East, but they have a three game lead on Texas for the first Wild Card spot. The Yankees begin their final extended road trip of the regular season tonight against the Tampa Bay Rays (69-73).

Since losing two out of three to the Yankees from September 2-4, the Rays have lost four of their last six games. Their offense did receive a boost over the weekend when Steven Souza Jr. (.217, 15 HR, 35 RBI’s) returned to the lineup after being out since August 1 because of a broken hand. While Evan Longoria (.272, 19 HR, 68 RBI’s) is always a player to watch, catcher J.P. Arencibia is hitting .414 in his last ten games with five home runs and 12 RBI’s.

Even though Tampa Bay lost yesterday’s game to the Red Sox, 2-0 in 13 innings, they got a good pitching performance from someone they hope contributes in a big way next season. In a no-decision, Drew Smyly went six innings, gave up no runs on four hits, struck out 11 batters, and walked two.

To get more information on the Rays, I spoke with Joe Saunders, who is a writer over at Rays Colored Glasses. Joe gave his thoughts on the Rays’ struggles since the Yankees’ series, and took a look at some of the needs Tampa Bay has heading into this winter. Here are some of the other topics we discussed:

• Importance of Drew Smyly in the 2016 rotation
• Tampa missing opportunities at Yankee Stadium to win that series
• Pitching Matchup Breakdown
• Erasmo Ramirez (tonight’s Rays starter) has given up four runs or more in four his last seven starts.
• CC Sabathia (tonight’s Yankees starter) does have a win in his lone start against Tampa Bay this season
• Jake Odorizzi (tomorrow’s Rays starter) is 0-3 with a 5.68 ERA against the Yankees this season
• What to expect from Adam Warren in his return to the rotation tomorrow night
• Chris Archer (Wednesday’s Rays starter) has struggled with his command in the second half of the season
• Luis Severino (Wednesday’s Yankees starter) trying to bounce back after a rough start against Toronto Friday.
• Rays Players To Watch: J.P. Arencibia and Logan Forsythe
• Yankees Players To Watch: Brian McCann and Greg Bird
• What is the top need to address for the Rays this winter?
• Is acquiring a big-time bat tougher with the Rays’ farm system not strong compared to recent years?

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